Jefferson summer readers tally 68K minutes of reading

This year’s summer reading program “Build a Better World” at the Jefferson public library had a Dr Seuss-based them with a message about teamwork and working together.

During the months of June and July, children watched movies; built silly sculptures, murals, Seuss-like birds, and a cardboard box city; and learned about animals from the Blank Park Zoo staff. They completed a BINGO card filled with reading activities to earn their prizes.

Children who read 240 minutes also earned a special bonus party: Building Teamwork Outdoor Obstacle Challenge, Monday, July 31, from 1 to 3 pm at Russell Park.

Richard Renner entertained children and adults with his “Vodvill” style of clown antics at the final party July 17. Each child received a book bag filled with pizza and ice cream certificates, a pass to the Blank Park Zoo, a paperback book, bookmarks, candy, a reading certificate and a T-shirt.

Children read a grand total of 68,105 minutes. Brice Ball read the most minutes – 3,000 – and won a prize and certificate. Other prizes were awarded for minutes read and Look and Find activities.

The grand prize winner, Aden Bardole, was awarded a certificate and gift card to purchase a brand new bicycle.

Adults pictured are (back, from left) JPL staff member Kathy Kingery, Jean Finch of the Friends of the Library, Angie Gingery of Peoples Bank, Emily Babin of WElls Fargo Bank, Debbie Wills and Jan McDermott of Beta Tau Delta, Diane Gibson of Elks Lodge 2403, John Muir of the county board of supervisors, Doug Meinecke of Breadeaux Pizza, Sid Jones of Home State Bank, and children’s librarian Terry Clark.

Sponsors for the Jefferson public library summer reading program are Beta Tau Delta, Blank Park Zoo, Breadeaux Pizza, Dairy Queen, Fareway, Greene County board of supervisors, Home State Bank, Hy-Vee, Jefferson Elks lodge, Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Friends of the Jefferson Public Library.

“Thanks to the generosity of these community sponsors, we’re building readers, building character, building friendships, and ‘Building a Better World’ at the Jefferson public library this summer,” said children’s librarian Terry Clark.

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